Shoe lacing system

ABSTRACT

A shoe lacing system includes a shoelace attachment portion disposed on a tongue of the shoe lacing system between a pair of shoelace receivers, the shoelace attachment portion includes notches disposed on the shoelace attachment portion to receive and couple the shoelace. The shoe lacing system can include a pair of sliding members coupled underneath a pair of shoelace receivers that are adapted to move along a track underneath the pair of sliding members, the ends of each of the loop segments are coupled to either one of the pair of shoelace receivers or one of the pair of sliding members. The shoe lacing system can include shoelace loops that are tensioned by pulling each of the shoelace loops and crossing and coupling each of the shoelace loops to notches disposed outside of each of the pair of shoelace outlets. Additionally, a shoe lacing kit is provided that incudes at least one shoelace lacing system component, and one or more pads having piercing pins protruding from a side thereof, the one or more pads capable of securing the at lest one shoelace lacing system component to a portion of a shoe. Yet another aspect of the invention relates to a shoe lacing device, comprising a first portion and a second portion hingedly attached to the first portion, the second portion including a hook or an opening.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 15/446,988, filedMar. 1, 2017, which is a divisional of Ser. No. 14/583,739, now U.S.Pat. No. 9,622,543, filed Dec. 28, 2014.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an improved shoe lacing system.

2. Description of the Related Art

Shoelaces have been used to secure shoes and boots for several thousandyears. Although early shoelaces were made of leather, most shoelacestoday are made of a cloth material, such as cotton. The conventionalmethod of using shoelaces involves initially threading the shoelacethrough alternating eyelets until a pair of shoelace ends extend freelyfrom the last eyelets. The user inserts his or her foot in the shoe orboot, and the shoelace ends are pulled to tighten the shoe around thefoot. Typically, the pair of shoelace ends is tied in a bow to securethe shoelace. Of course, the same procedure must be done for each of apair of shoes.

Although shoes and booting using traditional shoe lacing are stillwidely used, there are several shortcomings. One of the most frequentdifficulties is that often shoelaces can become untied which can presenta tripping hazard particularly when the user is unaware his or hershoelaces are untied. Additional problems with traditional shoe lacinginclude the time it takes a user to tie the shoes and the fact that theshoelace ends can become unraveled. Although the ends of shoelaces aretypically encased with a plastic tip called an aglet, the aglet canbreak fairly easily. Once an aglet breaks, the shoelace end becomesunraveled and it becomes difficult to thread the shoelace back throughthe eyelets.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the disclosure relates to a shoe lacing system, comprisinga shoelace forming a continuous loop; a pair of shoelace receiversdisposed on corresponding opposite sides of a shoe, the pair of shoelacereceivers receiving the shoelace extending through an interior channelwithin each of the pair of shoelace receivers; and a shoelace attachmentportion disposed on a tongue of the shoe, the shoelace attachmentportion including a plurality of notches to receive and couple theshoelace thereby securing a user's foot within the shoe. The shoe issecured by pulling on an end of the shoelace and coupling the shoelaceto a selected one of the notches, and it can be unsecured by releasingthe shoelace from the notch.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a shoe lacing system,comprising a shoelace having a plurality of loop segments; a pair ofshoelace receivers each disposed on corresponding opposite sides of atongue of a shoe; a pair of sliding members coupled underneath the pairof shoelace receivers that are adapted to move along a track underneaththe pair of sliding members, the ends of each of the loop segmentscoupled to either one of the pair of shoelace receivers or one of thepair of sliding members; and a shoelace attachment portion disposed onthe tongue of the shoe between the pair of shoelace receivers, theshoelace attachment portion including a plurality of notches to receiveand couple one of the loop segments securing the shoe.

Yet another aspect of the invention relates to a shoe lacing system,comprising a pair of shoelace loops including a first shoelace loop anda second shoelace loop; a pair of shoelace outlets each having aplurality of holes, the pair of shoelace loops coupled underneath thepair of shoelace outlets and extend through the holes; and a pluralityof notches disposed outside of each of the pair of shoelace outlets, thenotches including a first set of notches and a second set of notches.The shoelace loops are tensioned by pulling each of the shoelace loopsand crossing the first loop through the second loop and coupling each ofthe shoelace loops to a selected notch.

Yet another aspect of the invention relates to a shoe lacing kit,comprising at least one shoelace lacing system component, and one ormore pads having piercing pins protruding from a side thereof, the oneor more pads capable of securing the at lest one shoelace lacing systemcomponent to a portion of a shoe. In various embodiments, the shoelacelacing system component can include a shoelace attachment portion or apair of shoelace receivers, for example.

Yet another aspect of the invention relates to a shoe lacing device,comprising a first portion and a second portion hingedly attached to thefirst portion, the second portion including a hook or an opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a shoe lacing system, according to an embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates the shoe lacing system of FIG. 1 in an unsecuredconfiguration;

FIG. 3 illustrates a shoe lacing system, according to another embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a shoe lacing system, according to another embodimentof the invention; and

FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of the shoe lacing system of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 illustrates a device for retrofitting a shoe with a shoe lacingsystem component, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of the retrofitting device of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of the retrofitting device being used tofit another component.

FIG. 9 illustrates a shoe lacing system using a shoe lacing device,according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 illustrates a side view of the shoe lacing device of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 illustrates a side view of a shoe lacing device, according to anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12 illustrates a shoe lacing system using the shoe lacing device ofFIG. 11, according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a shoe lacing system 100 is illustrated, accordingto an embodiment of the invention. The shoe lacing system 100 is shownin its secured configuration. As shown, the shoe lacing system 100includes a shoelace 110, a pair of shoelace receivers 120 and a shoelaceattachment portion 130. The shoelace 110 forms a continuous loop ratherthan having free ends. The shoelace receivers 120 are disposed oncorresponding opposite sides of a shoe 105. The pair of shoelacereceivers 120 receives the shoelace 110 that extends through the pair ofshoelace receivers 120. The pair of shoelace receivers 120 each has aplurality of holes 115 which accept the shoelace 110. The shoelace 110then may travel through an interior channel within each of the pair ofshoelace receivers 120.

The shoelace attachment portion 130 may be lengthwise disposed on atongue 132 of the shoe lacing system 100 between the pair of shoelacereceivers 120. The shoelace attachment portion 130 can be attached bybolting, adhering, or stitching, for example, to the tongue 132. Asshown, the shoelace attachment portion 130 includes a plurality ofnotches 135 disposed on the shoelace attachment portion 130 to receiveand couple the shoelace 110 thereby securing the user's foot (not shown)within the shoe 105 without tying the shoelace 110. The notches 135 maybe raised notches or the like. Although three notches 135 areillustrated in FIG. 1, it is to be understood that any suitable numberof notches 135 may be disposed on the shoelace attachment portion 130.The selection of a particular notch 135 by the user when securing theshoe lacing system 100 helps determine the tightness of the fit of theshoe 105 on the user's foot.

Although the shoe lacing system 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 is used incombination with an “athletic” shoe 105 (a sneaker), it is to beunderstood that the shoe lacing system 100 could be used in combinationwith any suitable piece of footwear such as a dress shoe, a boot, asandal, or the like. It is further to be understood that although asingle shoe 105 is shown (which fits a right foot), the shoe lacingsystem 100 would actually be used for each of a pair of shoes.

FIG. 2 illustrates the shoe lacing system 100 in an unsecuredconfiguration. To secure the shoe 105, the user simply pulls on the endof the shoelace 110 and toward the front of the shoelace 110, andcouples the shoelace 110 to one of the notches 135 on the shoelaceattachment portion 130. To unsecure the shoe 105, the user pulls the endof shoelace 110 off of the notch 135 that the shoelace 110 is coupled toand releases the shoelace 110 from the notch 135.

Referring to FIG. 3, a shoe lacing system 200 is illustrated, accordingto another embodiment of the invention. As shown, the shoe lacing system200 includes a shoelace 210, a pair of shoelace receivers 220 and a pairof sliding members 230. Notably, the shoelace 210 is not a continuousloop but rather a plurality of loop segments 212. Although FIG. 3illustrates seven loop segments 212, a different number of loop segments212 may be used. The loop segments 212 include a first loop segment212A, a second loop segment 212B, a third loop segment 212C, a fourthloop segment 212D, a fifth loop segment 212E, a sixth loop segment 212Fand a seventh loop segment 212G. The pair of shoelace receivers 220 areeach disposed on corresponding opposite sides of the shoe lacing system200. The pair of sliding members 230 are coupled underneath the pair ofshoelace receivers 220, and can be adapted to move along a track 234underneath the pair of sliding members 230. The ends of each of the loopsegments 212 may be coupled to either one of the pair of shoelacereceivers 220 or one of the pair of sliding members 230 and fastenedwith a plurality of sewn thread 213 or the like fastener. The first loopsegment 212A, the second loop segment 212B, the third loop segment 212C,the fourth loop segment 212D, the fifth loop segment 212E, the sixthloop segment 212F and the seventh loop segment 212G provide supportbetween the pair of shoelace receivers 220 and the pair of slidingmembers 230, as well as provide an ornamental appearance. The seventhloop segment 212G is coupled to an end 230A of each of the pair ofsliding members 230 and can be pulled to move the pair of shoelacereceivers 220 and the pair of sliding members 230 along the track 234thereby extending the seventh loop segment 212G. Additionally, the shoelacing system 200 may include a shoelace attachment portion 240. Theshoelace attachment portion 240 may be disposed on a tongue 232 of theshoe lacing system 200 between the pair of shoelace receivers 220. Theshoelace attachment portion 240 may include a plurality of notches 235disposed on the shoelace attachment portion 240 to receive and couplethe seventh loop segment 212G, thereby securing the user's foot (notshown) within the shoe 205 without tying the shoelace 210 or the like.The notches 235 may be raised notches 235A or the like. Although threenotches 235 are illustrated, it is to be understood any suitable numberof notches 235 may be disposed on the shoelace attachment portion 240.The seventh loop segment 212G of the loop segments 212 may be tensionedpulled and secured onto a desired notch 235 thereby determining thetightness of the fit of the shoe 205.

Referring to FIG. 4, a shoe lacing system 300 is illustrated, accordingto another embodiment of the invention. As shown, the shoe lacing system300 includes a pair of shoelace loops 310, a pair of shoelace outlets320 and a plurality of notches 330. The pair of shoelace loops 310includes a first shoelace loop 310A and a second shoelace loop 310B. Thepair of shoelace outlets 320 each includes a plurality of holes 322. Thepair of shoelace loops 310 is coupled underneath the pair of shoelaceoutlets 320 and extends through the holes 322. The notches 330 may bedisposed outside of each of the pair of shoelace outlets 320 on the shoe305. The notches 335 may be raised notches 335A or the like. The notches330 may include a first set of notches 332 and a second set of notches334. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the first set of notches 332 and thesecond set of notches 334 each include three notches, but may includeany suitable number of notches. The pair of shoelace loops 310 can betensioned by pulling each of the pair of shoelace loops 310 and crossingthe first loop 310A through the second loop 310B and coupling each ofthe pair of shoelace loops 310 to a desired notch 330, therebydetermining the tightness of the fit of the shoe 305.

FIG. 5 illustrates is a side view showing one of the pair of shoelaceloops 310 coupled to one of the notches 330 of the shoe lacing system300.

FIG. 6 illustrates an attachment device 150 for retrofitting a shoe witha shoe lacing system component, according to an embodiment. Asillustrated, the attachment device 150 includes a pad 148 havingpiercing teeth 152 protruding from a surface thereof. The piercing teeth152 are anchored in the pad 148, and preferably are metal and includesharp edges with teeth. Although two piercing teeth 152 are shown, it isto be understood another number of piercing teeth 152 may suffice. Asnoted above with regard to the shoe lacing system 100, the shoelaceattachment portion 130 may be lengthwise disposed on the tongue 132 of ashoe. Although it was mentioned that the shoelace attachment portion 130could be attached by bolting, adhering, or stitching, for example, theshoelace attachment portion 130 may alternatively be attached using theattachment device 150. The attachment device 150 would be most usefulfor retrofitting a conventional shoe. For example, for the shoe lacingsystem 100, the pad 148 of the attachment device 150 would be placedunderneath the tongue 132 such that the piercing teeth 152 extendentirely through the tongue 132. This arrangement is most clearly shownin FIG. 7. As illustrated in FIG. 7, a piercing pin 152 penetratesthrough the tongue 130 terminating in a piercing cylinder 154. Thepiercing cylinder 154 can include a soft material or the like that actsas both a receiver of the piercing pin 152 and a protective cap. It isto be understood that the attachment device 150 could likewise be usedto attach the attachment portion 240 to the tongue 242 with respect tothe shoe lacing system 200.

Additionally, the attachment device 150 can be used to attach othercomponents of a shoe lacing system. For example, in regard to the shoelacing system 100, the attachment device 150 could be used to attach theshoelace receivers 120 to the side of the shoe 105. As illustrated inFIG. 8, the pad 148 is disposed on the inside side of the shoe 105 andthe piercing pin 152 extends entirely through the side terminating inthe shoelace receiver 120. In this case, the piercing pin 152 does notstick out from the shoelace receiver 120, and a piercing cylinder 154 isnot used. However, in other embodiments, piercing cylinders 154 can beused, as above. It is to be understood that the attachment device 150could likewise be used for other components such as the shoelacereceivers 220 and 320, of embodiments 200 and 300, respectively.Advantageously, a shoe lacing kit can include one or more attachmentdevice 130 and components to be attached. For example a shoe lacing kitcan include a shoelace attachment portion 130, a pair of shoelacereceivers 120, and several attachment devices 150. As another example,the shoe lacing kit can include a shoelace attachment portion 240, apair of shoelace receivers 220, and several attachment devices 150. Asyet another example the shoe lacing kit can include a pair of shoelacereceivers 320, and several attachment devices 150. In general, the kitcan include any component of a shoe lacing system with enough shoeattachment devices 150 to allow the components to be attached onto ashoe with conventional lacing.

Referring to FIG. 9, a shoe lacing system 400 is illustrated, accordingto an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 10 illustrates a side view of ashoe lacing device 450 used in conjunction with the shoe lacing system400. The shoe lacing device 450 includes a first portion 405 and asecond portion 420, the first portion 405 and the second portion 420attached using a hinge 415 or the like. The shoe lacing device 450incudes a hook 425 disposed on a first end of the device 450. The hookincludes a first shoelace grasping portion 426 that is sufficiently wideenough to accommodate a first portion of a shoe lace 402 s. The shoelacing device 450 incudes a second shoelace grasping portion 412 thatcomprises part of the first portion 405 and the second portion 420 on asecond end near the hinge 415. The second shoelace grasping portion 412can include grasping ridges 410 or the like. Additionally, the firstportion can include male pins 408, and the second portion 420 caninclude corresponding female receptors 407. In operation, a userpositions the shoe lacing device 450 onto a laced (but untied) shoe, thehook 425 grasping a row of shoe lacing 402, pulling the device in anupward manner. A row of shoe lacing 402 near the top of the shoe isplaced in the second shoe lace grasping portion 412, and the show lacingdevice 450 is closed. While the shoe lace ends 402 t are shown freelyhanging from the shoe illustrated in FIG. 9, it is to be understood thatthe ends 402 t may be tucked into the shoe or even cut off. To removethe shoe lacing device 450, the user opens the device 450 and removesthe shoe lacing 402 from the second shoe grasping portion 412 and thenunhooks the lacing 402 s from the first shoe grasping portion 420.

FIG. 11 illustrates a side view of a shoe lacing device 480, accordingto an embodiment of the invention. The shoe lacing device 480 can beused for the shoe lacing systems 100 and 200 described herein, orsimilar shoe lacing systems. FIG. 12 shows the shoe lacing device 480being used in conjunction with the shoe lacing system 200; it would beattached similarly to the shoelace 110 of shoe lacing system 100. Theshoe lacing device 480 is similar to the shoe lacing device 450 exceptthat the shoe lacing device 480 does not have the hook 425. Instead, theshoe lacing device has an opening 475 that is used to attach to aselected one of the notches 135/235. That is, the selected notch 135/235would be received into the opening 475.

While this invention has been described in conjunction with the variousexemplary embodiments outlined above, it is evident that manyalternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of theinvention, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative, notlimiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A shoe lacing kit, comprising: at least oneshoelace lacing system component; and one or more pads having piercingpins protruding from a side thereof, the one or more pads capable ofsecuring the at lest one shoelace lacing system component to a portionof a shoe.
 2. The shoe lacing kit of claim 1, wherein the shoelacelacing system component includes a shoelace attachment portion.
 3. Theshoe lacing kit of claim 2, wherein the shoelace attachment portion isstructured to be disposed on a tongue of the shoe, the shoelaceattachment portion including a plurality of notches to receive andcouple the shoelace.
 4. The shoe lacing kit of claim 1, furthercomprising piercing cylinders.
 5. The shoe lacing kit of claim 1,wherein the shoelace lacing system component includes a pair of shoelacereceivers.
 6. A shoe lacing device, comprising: a first portion; and asecond portion hingedly attached to the first portion, the secondportion including a hook; wherein when the device is in an openposition, the device is capable of receiving end portions of shoe lacethreaded on a shoe; and when the device is in operation, the deviceassumes a closed position such the device firmly grasps the received endportions of the shoe lace and the hook tightly grasps onto anotherportion of the same shoe lace.
 7. The shoe lacing system of claim 6,wherein the second portion is longer than the first portion.
 8. The shoelacing system of claim 6, wherein the first portion and the secondportion include teeth for enhancing grasping onto the end portions ofthe shoelace.
 9. A shoe lacing device, comprising: a first portion; anda second portion hingedly attached to the first portion, the secondportion including an opening; wherein when the device is in an openposition, the device is capable of receiving end portions of shoe laceloop; and when the device is in operation, the device assumes a closedposition such the device firmly grasps the received end portions of theshoe lace loop and a selected notch of a shoe lace attachment portion.